Sheffield smash and grab burglars – aged just 13

POLICE met worried residents to talk about a rise in burglaries in a Sheffield suburb.

Last night’s event was organised after a tenants’ and residents’ association contacted South Yorkshire Police over the number of homes burgled over recent months.

In the last five weeks there have been 24 reported break-ins, and over the last year offences have rocketed to 276 from 200 the year before.

Inspector Ian Stubbs said the increase in Gleadless Valley is linked to a group of youths, the youngest just 13, getting into homes by smashing patio doors with bricks and grabbing valuables left on display.

He said one member of the group was jailed for two-and-a-half years this week at Sheffield Crown Court, and said a number of court cases are pending.

He said: “A lot of hard work has been done and the result is there has been one burglary reported this week compared to six the week before, three the week before that, and seven over the two weeks before.

“We have also secured some funding from the council to buy SmartWater which we will be using at the homes of victims and in vulnerable properties as a deterrent to burglars.”